Six Degrees of Mariachi

The 19th Annual San José Mariachi and Mexican Heritage Festival invites everyone to join in playing the new trivia game "Six Degrees of the Mariachi" -- which we're sure will be the fad sensation of the season! Here's how it works: Six Degrees of the Mariachi, like the trivia game Six Degrees of Keven Bacon, is based on the small world phenomenon. Most folks don't realize this, but in reality, it is the mariachis that are at the center of the entertainment universe, and in fact, hold the key to world peace, harmony and understanding.

Here are a few to get you started!





Name :
Email :
Where are you from? :
Describe your Six Degrees of Mariachi:

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08-26-2010 - Linda Meneken
San Francisco/Concord, CA
I am a violinist and have played in several groups in the Bay Area, currently with the only all-female group here in No. CA, Mariachi Femenil Orgullo Mexicano.  We were recently honored to play for Dolores Huerta's birthday.  And I love the San Jose Mariachi Festival; I attended in the early '90's and am so pleased that it is going strong in 2010...An important musical and cultural event for the Bay Area...  And my favorite mariachi of all time is still involved, Mariachi Cobre!!!  Hello to you all, Mac, Steve, et al!!! What excellent performers and educators!

03-30-2010 - Mary Peña
Reynosa, Tamaulipas
I was born in Reynosa, Tamaulipas and as a one-year old, immigrated to the US with my parents .  Though I was raised in the U.S., the Mexican culture was at the heart of our family home.   Mexican music was always on whether it was my father singing, the radio playing, or the lp's spinning on the record player.  My fondest memories are of my father playing his guitar and singing Mexican rancheras y corridos; and romantic songs to my mother. Music was in his blood and soul and infused in mine. Though I've lived in California since the 1960's, la musica de Mexico keeps me connected to my roots and to my father, now deceased.  Hearing Mariachi music grabs my soul and I have to let out a grito or else I'll drown in the wave of emotion that comes over me.   Que Viva el Mariachi, si señor!!! 

03-29-2010 - Hilda Ramirez
San Jose, California
I'm quite sure this music was played for me long before I was born. It's in my blood! Love it so much that I hosted the Mariachi Mass for MHP after Sandra left for Texas. Ajua!

09-25-2009 - Lannie Medina
Healdsburg, CA
Alumni dancer of Los Lupenos and lightworker of peace.  Woo hoo!

09-24-2009 - Cesar Chavez
San Jose, CA

-50 years ago mexican-americans were seen as a second degre citizens, mistreated by the white majority.

-Today in san Jose are the biggest population group in the Bay Area

- Now they are behaving like the abusive oppresors of the past. Mexicans are the new middle income whites (racist, unpolite and materialistic).

09-23-2009 - Marilyn Davis
San Jose, CA
When I started as a waitress at the Creamery in Palo Alto, we had a few Mexican busboys.  By the time I finished, 14 years later, the Mexican population had grown so that some days I was the only gringo in the house.

The Mexicans taught, by example, a deeper and more intimate cooperation than I had experienced in the gringo culture.  Sometimes we were six hands building an ice cream sundae.

This rocked my world.

I felt I needed to learn Spanish to be a real friend with Mexicans, and to welcome them to this country.

To improve my accent, I borrowed Mexican music CD's from the library.

Unexpectedly, the music, being so melodramatic, so earthy, so joyful, and so magnificent, took center stage in my life.  There I was, at 55 years old, beginning to be a "musician" because of the power of Mariachi music.

Now, I get together weekly with two friends and sing and play the music and have more fun than I imagined possible ... before Mariachi came into my life.

08-31-2009 - Mariachi Mexicanisimo de Raymundo Coronado
Hayward California

08-19-2009 - Mrs. DaSilva
San Jose, California
    My father's family comes from Ixtlahuaca, Mexico ...The first Mariachi CD I bought was "Canciones de Me Padre" by Linda Ronstadt.  I went to the Mariachi Festival, for the first time, in 2007 and heard Linda Ronstadt sing.  It was amazaing! My mother's family come from the Yaqui Indian people once found in the San Juan, Mexico area.  I understand Linda is from Arizona?  Arizona is the place you can now find the Yaqui indian people...one step further, I have a 2nd cousin who plays trumpet in a all female Mariachi...!!  Nothing but Mariachi music can bring you back to where your soul belongs...Mexico! 

07-17-2009 - Mauro Valcazar
San Jose, CA 95136-2139

I am an American born citizen of Mexican eithnic born parents. I always like to say that I would like to say as my wife says, Soy de Torreón, Chuahuila . Unfortunately I have to say that I'm from Saint Paul, Minnesota. Ever since I was exposed to my Mexican culture on my first trip to Mexico back in 1959, I have had an longing to find out just what makes one Mexican. I took up Spanish, contiued traveling to Mexico, and then just by luck I lacthedon to Miss Susan Cashion right here in San José, one of the founders of Los Lupeños Mexican Folklorico Dance Group. Needless to say I was hooked. Through learning the various dances, I learned the music and "custumbres" de ser mejicano! I am proud to say I am of  Mexican heritage and am proud to participate in all that is Mexican. We are truely blessed here in San José because we have the Mexican Heritage Foundation's Mariachi Festival right here in oun backyard. I look forward to being with my former and "old" time Lupeños for another performance of outstand quality. Thank you and I thank God Almighty for all the grace and oppertunities He has bestoded upon meand my family.  Sincerely yours, Mauro Valcazar

07-17-2009 - Anne Lindsley
Murrieta, CA
I was born in East LA.  Anglo, but Mexican in my heart.  Los Lobos, the best band from East LA..... Mariachi is my favorite music.  We attend the Tucson festival.

05-12-2009 - Benny Murrietta Valles
Coolidge Arizona / Hayward, California
As descendant of Joaquin Murrietta, our family lives with the music of the Mariachi

05-10-2009 - Mark murphy
Pittsbutg,Ca.
I worked on Hillary Clintons campaign and was an elected delegate for her and I love Mexico, Mexican people,culture and Mariachi,I am anglo by birth but Latin in my soal